The editorial board of the New York Times writes today about the two major carbon-taxing schemes in use worldwide. And yes, dear old BC gets some positive ink for its carbon tax, implemented in 2008.
This major opinion piece, to me, represents yet another step along the trail to a fossil-free world, complete with stranded assets and major spending on renewable energy. Somewhere, I’m sure, there are those who continue to deny and to create false choices (enviro vs. economy — choose one!!!), but they are becoming fewer and hiding more. (Why do I keep thinking of a dragon named O’Leary?). And these stances are becoming ever more difficult to defend.
Meanwhile, renewable energy is either at or past the tipping point, where costs continue to drop, investment and expertise grow and conversion is under way. This from the Globe and Mail.
Merran Smith, executive director of energy and climate think tank Clean Energy Canada, said the global expansion of green energy production is partly due to the plunging cost of renewable technology. “There is a business case for renewables and we are seeing the investment money going there,” she said. “This is the new economy.”
24 MW DC Cascade Solar Plant Constructed by SunEdison located in California Desert, Largest plant interconnected to date under California RAM program. Financing provided by Wells Fargo, SDG&E to purchase electricity generated. (PRNewsFoto/SunEdison, Inc.)
I’d be very curious to see 2015 and 2016 data about how successful the carbon tax has been in reducing fuel consumption in BC. Methinks the sinking loonie is going to puncture some assumptions about the tax’s role in lowering gas sales.